Tractor mower



May 25, 1943. W, TANKE 2,320,057

TRACTOR MOWER Filed April l1, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet l ,am I, ,5

yMaly 25, 1943. w, H. TANKE TRACTOR MOWER Filed April l1, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 25, 1943.

w. H. TAN KE TRACTOR MOWER Filed April ll, 1938 5 SheetS-Shee?I 3 um mw May 25, 1943. w. H. TANKE 2,320,057

TRACTOR MOWER Filed April ll, 19258 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I YIII May2'5,1943. l W.H.TANKE 2,320,057

TRACTOR MOWER Filed April 11, 1938 5 SheetS--Sheel 5 PatentedMay 25, .1.943 I y TRACTOR MOWER Willard ll. Tanke, La Crosse, Wis., assignor to Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company, Mllwaukee, Wis., a corporation oi' Delaware Application April 11, 1938, Serial No. 201,262

38 Claims. (Cl. 56-25) e The invention relates to implement attachments for tractors and it isconcerned more specically withan improved tractor mower.

It is an object of the invention to convert an ordinary wheeled tractor into a mowing machine with a minimum of time and labor and likewise t reduce the time and labor required -to make the tractor again available for other uses after it is no longer used for mowing. More speciiically, it is an object of the invention to provide a mower structure comprising a unitary frame, which may' be readily mounted on and removed from a tractor.

Another object of the invention is to convert a wheeled tractor into a mowing machine which is easy to handle and in which the driver has a good view of the cutting mechanism at all times.

A further object of theinvention is to provide improved mechanism 'to protect a mowing machine against damage in case the cutting mechanism is driven aga-inst an obstruction, such as a large stone or a tree stump, or in case a wire or other obstruction becomes entangled in the cutting mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to precisely adjust the cutting mechanism to a predetermined working position and to precisely aline the cutting mechanism with its drive mechanism.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a mowing attachment for a tractor which is simple and compact in construction, efficient in operation, and which may be manufactured at low costs.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description. A clear conception of an embodiment of the invention and of the operation of a device constructed in accordance therewith, may be had by referring to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this speciiication, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the several views.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a tractor and a mowing attachment therefor, illustrating the mode of connecting and disconnecting the attachment and the tractor.

Fig. 2 is a top view of the mowing attachment, part of the tractor being indicated in light full lines.

Fig. 3 is a side view, partly in section, of the mowing attachment, looking from the cutter bar towards the tractor, part of the tractor being indicated in light full lines. J

Fig. 4 isa detail view of a supporting connection between the attachment and tractor, the view being taken on line IV-IV of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a side view. partly in section, of the` drive assembly below the tractor.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged side view of the cutter bar support, the view being taken in the same direction as Fig. 3 and part of the universal connection at the rear end of the cutter bar shoe being shown in section.

Fig. 7 is an end view of the cutter bar support shown in Fig. 6, the view being taken in the direction of the arrow VII in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on line VIII-VIII of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a top view of the cutter bar support with the cutter bar shown in non-working position.

Fig. 10' is a side view of the power take-off throw-out assembly below the tractor.

Fig. 11 is a top view of the rear hanger for the cutter bar.

Fig. 121s a longitudinal vertical section through l the power take-off mechanism at the under side of the tractor.

Fig. 13 is a detail viewon line XIII- XIII of Fig. 2.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the t'. actor and the mowing attachment connected therewith are shown in full lines in the upper part of the vsion mechanisms. are mounted between the side channels, as is usual in tractor design, and a more detailed description in this connection is believed unnecessary. For the purposes of the present disclosure it will vsuillce to say that the side channels and tractor parts mounted thereon constitute the body of the tractor, which is supported at its rear on a pair of transversely spaced rear tractor is indicated by the reference character I3, and wherever hereinafter the terms right and left are used they are to be understood as by a driver seated on the seat I3 and looking towards the front end of the tractor. A steering wheel I3 in front of the drivers seat is operatively connected by suitable shafting and gearing (not shown) with the steerable front wheels I 3. i3. For a fuller disclosure of the tractor shown herein reference is made to United States Patent 2,073,613, March 16, 1937, C. E. Frudden and Walter F. Strehlow, Motor vehicle.

Underlying the body ci' the tractor is a rigid frame structure comprising a substantially straight angle iron I3, a bent angle iron 2| welded at its rear end to the angle iron i3, and an angle iron cross member 22 connecting the front end of the angle iron I3 with the opposite portion of the angle iron 2l. The dash-dotted line 23 in Fig. 2 indicates a vertical plane extending centrally or the wheled front support of the tractor transversely of the rear axle housing i, and it will be noted that the left angle iron 2| extends in a horizontal plane forwardly from its rearward connection with the angle iron |34 in an inclined direction beyond said vertical plane, and that a portion of the angle iron 2| forwardly of the cross member 22 extends in a forwardly inclined direction towards said vertical plane. The extreme forward end of the angle iron 2| extends transversely of the plane 23 and has a bracing connection 25 with the angle iron I3 at the right side of the plane 23. The rigid frame I3, 2|,- 22 is suspended at its rear on one of the nal drive housings I1 by means of a bracket 21 which is secured to the lower end of the housing |1 at the right side of the tractor. The bracket 21 has the form of a square U, one leg of which is secured to the housing I1, and the other leg of which has a hole for the reception of a bolt 23. the closed end of the U facing the wheel II, and the open end facing the wheel 3. The horizontal leg of the angle iron I3 rests on the lower leg of the bracket 21 and has a slotted opening 3| engaging the bolt 23, and by tightening a nut on the bolt 23 the bracket 21 and angle iron i3 may be secured together. Rigidly secured to the forward end of the angle iron I3, as by welding. is a hanger 33 with slotted openings 35 engaging two bolts 31 on the right side channel 5 of the tractor. At the left side of the frame a plate 33 is welded to, the horizontal fiange of the frame angle 2| and to an overhanglng portion of the cross member 22, and a hanger 33 is secured to the left end oi. the'cross member 22, the hanger 33 terminating below the side channel 3 of the tractor, as shown in Fig. 13. Bolted to the outer side of the side channel 3 is a depending strap 4| overlapping the upper end of the hanger 33, the strap 4| having slotted openings 43 engaging bolts 45 on the hanger 33. In order to secure the hangers 33 and 33 to the tractor nuts on the bolts 31 and 45 may be tightened, and it will be noted that after loosening the nuts on the bolts 23, 31 and 45 the frame may be pulled forwardly, whereupon the hangers 33 and 33 will first drop from the tractor while the rear end of the angle iron I3 slides forwardly on the bracket 21 without dropping from this bracket. By continued :forward pull on the frame the angle iron I3 may be caused to drop from the bracket 21. On the other hand, in order to attach the frame to the tractor, the rear end oi' the angle iron I3 may first be lifted upon the bracket 21 and the front end may then be lifted to aline the slotted openings 33 and 33 with the bolts 31 and 45. and by rearward push on the frame the hangers 33 and 33 may be engaged with the bolts 31 and 43.

Mounted on and in position below the cross member 22 is a bearing housing 41 (Fig. 2) having a right bearing portion 41' and a left bearing portion 41" arranged side by side and extending longitudinally of the tractor. Journaled in the right bearing portion 41' of the housing 41 is a drag arm 43 the arm being bent to extend transversely of the frame I3, 2|. 22 and Aof such length that its outer end lies beyond the rear wheel II of the tractor. Pivotally mounted on the outer end of the arm 43 isa cutter bar yoke 5| the yoke being tiltably adjustable on the arm 43 by means of a tilting mechanism comprising a bifurcated extension 53 welded to the arm 43, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9; a tilting screw bracket 55 mounted on an upwardly extending arm 53 of the yoke 3|: a tilting screw 51 journaled in the bracket 55:

vand a tilting screw nut 53 mounted in the bifurcated part of the extension 53 and cooperating with the screw 51. Set collars 3|, shown in Fig. 7, retain the yoke 3| in nxed position axially of the arm 43 and permit adjustment of the yoke in and out with respect to the tractor. A pull brace 33 is pivotally mounted on the forward end of the frame angle 2| for rotation about the same horizontal axis as the arm 43. The outer end of the pull brace 33 extends through a lug 35 on the yoke 5I, the brace being threaded and carrying a nut 31 at one side of the lug 35 and another nut 33 at the other side of the lug 35. The nuts 61 and 33 are drawn up against the lug 35 so that the brace 33 will cooperate with the arm 43 to secure the yoke against displacement longitudinally of the frame.

Integrally formed with the cutter bar yoke 5|, on a portion thereof below the arm 43, is a short pivot lug 1|, shown in Figs. 6 and 7, whose axis extends vertically at right angles to the axis on which the'cuter bar yoke 5I is tiltable on the arm 43 by means of the tilting screw 51. Mounted on the pivot lug 1| is a rear hanger 13 of a cutter bar shoe 15, and the pivot lug has an axial hole which is threaded to receive a bolt 11. The bolt 11 retains a. washer 13 to hold the rear hanger 13 in place on the pivot lug 1|. Fitted between two arms of the rear hanger 13 is an upwardly projecting bearing lug 3| of the cutter bar shoe 15, the bearing lug and arms being pivotally connected by a. pin 33 extending horizontally and in the longitudinal direction of the shoe 15. Forwardly of the bearing lug 3| the shoe has two upwardly extending bearing lugs 34 and 35 between which a front hanger 31 is pivotally mounted by means of a pin 33 extending coaxially with the pin 33. Referring to Fig. 8, it will be'seen that the front hanger 31 has a forked lateral extension on which a strap 3| is pivoted by means of a bolt 33 extending through a round hole in the strap 3| and through elongated holes`35 in the arms of the extension of hanger 31. The extension of hanger 31 has serrations on its upper and lower sides, and similarly serrated washers 31 are inserted between the head and nut of bolt 33 whereby the strap 3| may be secured to the hanger 31 in different positions of adjustment transversely of the axis of pin 33. In any position of adjustment of the bolt 33 the strap 3| has pivotal movement about the bolt 33. The strap 3| extends through the yoke 5I, the latter having l a rectangular opening 32, shown in Fig. 6, through which the strap 3| extends, as shown in Figs. 7 ,and 8.

In Fig. 6 the upper parts of the lugs 04 and 05 of the shoe 15 are broken away to show the construction of the forward part of the yoke in which the opening 92 is formed. At its forward ibar the transverse flange 52 merges with a side flange 54, a. forward portion of which extends upwardly4 and rearwardly at substantially right angles to the pivot axis of the yoke on the arm 43. Another portion of the flange 54 which is ofl'set from said forward portion towards the cuter bar side of the yoke merges with aI sleeve portion of the yoke which embraces the outer end of the arm 49. At the cutter bar side of the yoke a second flange 55 merges with the sleeve portion of the yoke and extends in a verticalvplane at right angles to the pivot axis of the yoke on the arm 40. 'I'he flange 55 has a downwardly in 'clined forward portion the rear edge of which is transversely alined with the rear edge of the upwardly and rearwardly inclined forward portion of the flange 54. and the flanges 54 and 55 are connected by a web l50 shown in Figs. 6 and 9. The web 50 merges with the sleeve portion of the yoke and extends along the bottom edges of the flanges 54 and 56, the web extending first forwardly from` the sleeve portion in a plane through the axis of 'the latter and then downwardly from said plane at a slight forward inclination, as shown in Fig. 6. The forward'portlons of the flanges 54 and 55 are connected at their lower ends by a forward extension of the web 50 which also merges withthe transverse flange 52 and has a cut-out 60 at the cutter bar side of the yoke. The forward extension of the web 53 is disposed below and at a slight angle to the mentioned plane through the pivot axis of the yoke on the arm 49, the plane of the extension being downwardly inclined towards the cutter bar side of the yoke, as best shown in Fig. 8. At the under side of the laterally inclined forward extension of the web 58 a fiat box is formed integrally with the yoke, the box having top, bottom, front and rear walls, the inner surfaces of which define the rectangular opening 92 for the strap 9|.

inclined portion of the web 58, and its bottom wall. which is indicated by the reference character 62 in Figs. 8 and-9, extends parallel to said top wall. The width of the box transversely of the yoke, or in the direction from the flange 5,4

The top wall of the box is formed by the forward. laterally towards the flange 58, is somewhat shorter than the spacing of the forward portion of the flange 54 from the vertical plane of the flange 59, the bottom wall 62 having two parallel straight edges extending longitudinally of the yoke, one at the side of the yoke remote from the cutter bar and underlying the forward portion of the flange 54;

pivot axis of the yoke on the arm 43. The front wall of the box likewise extends parallel to said axis and its thickness is approximately equal to the Web 58.

the thickness of flange 52, as shown in Fig. 6. The rear walll of the box. winch connects the bottom wall 62 with the forward extension of the web 58, is indicated in Fig. 9 by the reference character 64, and as shown in that figure, the rear wall 64 extends in a vertical plane non-parallel to the vertical plane of the front wall of the box, the spacing between the front and rear walls being somewhat smaller at the `side of the box remote from the cutter bar than at the side next to the cutter bar. The rectangular opening 92 for the strap 9| is therefore wider, longitudinally of the yoke, at the cutter bar side of the box than at the side of the box remote from the cutter bar, and Fig. 6 shows the longitudinal width of the opening 92 at the cutter bar side of the box.

The strap 9| is slidably iltted between the upper surface of the bottom wall 52 and the bottom surface of the forward extension of the web 58 so as to be guided by engagement of its upper and lower surfaces with the vertically spaced top and bottom walls of the box. The vertical side surfaces of the strap, however. are not guided by the front and rear walls of the box. The strap 9| has a longitudinal siot'99, and a bolt |0| on the yoke extends through the slot 99 wherebythe strap is restrained from free pivotal movement about the bolt 93-on the hanger 91. The bolt |0| has a suuare head slidably tted into a square recess |03 in the bottom wall 62 of the.

box` the round shank portion of the bolt being guided in a'boss |05 on the forward extension of A coil spring |01 seated around the boss |05 engages a washer |09 retained by a nut at the upper end cf the bolt |0|. At the under side of the strap 9| near the end of the slot 99 adjacent to bolt 93 a V-shaped notch ||3 extends transversely of the slot 99, and V-shaped projections ||5 adapted to enter the notch H3 are formed on the head of bolt |0| at the side of the head facing the strap 99. The spring |01 'exerts an upward thrust upon bolt |0I. and in the position shown in Fig. 8, the strap is therefore reieasably locked against sliding movement transversely of the yoke 5|, and the shoe 15 is restrained from rotating about the vertical axis of the pivot lug 1| at the rear of yoke 5|. The shoe, however, is free to pivot on the common horizontal axis of the pins 83 and 89. An angle iron ||5 is bolted to the yoke 5| as a guard for the strap 9|. The cutout 60 provides a space in the forward extension of the web 58 to accommodate the forked lateral extension of the hanger 91 when the strap 9| is locked on the yoke by means of the bolt |0|, as shown in Figs. 2 and 8.

Rigidly connected with the shoe 15 by bolts ||0 is a cutter bar ||1 of ordinary construction, including guard fingers ||9. Reciprocably mounted on the cutter bar is a knife bar |2.| including knife sections |23 and a ball element |25 for connection with a pitman |21. The ball |25 is embraced by sockel;v members |29 rigidly mounted-on the pitman |21.

The entire cutter bar assembly including the yoke 5|, shoe 15 and cutizerfbar I1 may be raised and lowered about the pivot axis of the arm 49 and brace 63 on the frame I9. 2|, 22 by up and down movement of a vertical lifting link |3| best shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The link |3| is hooked to a lifting crank in the form of a plate |33 which is pivotaily mounted cn a bearing |35 secured to lugs |31 of the cutter bar yoke 5|. The bearing |35 is secured to the yoke 5| by pins |39 'and carries a pivot pin- |4| for the crank plate |33. A link |43 is hooked into a slotted opening |45- of the crank plate |33 and is pivotally connected with a lever |41 mounted on the pivot pin 93. The lever |41 has an arm |49 with a set screw. II extending therethrough, the set screw being retained in adjusted position by a lock nut |53. I'he set screw bears against a projection |55 of the cutter bar shoe 15, and it will be seen that upward pull on the link |3| will be transmitted through the crank plate |93, link |43, lever |41 and set screw |5| upon the shoe 15, subjecting the shoe and cutter bar to a tilting force which tends to swing the shoe and cutter bar in an upward direction about the common axis of the pins 83 vand 89. Under sufficient pull on link |3| the entire cutter bar assembly will swing upwardly about the pivot axis of the arm 49 and brace 63 on the frame, such upward movement taking place as soon as the downward thrust exerted by the set screw |5| upon the shoe projection |55 overbalances the upward thrust against the set screw due to the weight of the cutter bar. The set screw |5| is so adjusted that upward movement of the shoe 15 at the inner end of the cutter bar will be followed by upward movement of the shoe |51 at the outer end of the cutter bar (Fig. 1) without much delay, that is, the outer shoe |51 will leave the ground only two or three inches behind the inner shoe 15.

The link |3| has a turnbuckle connection |59 (Figs. '1 and 3) with a hook |6| which depends from an arm on lift shaft |63. The lift shaft |63 is journaled on a bracket |64 extending transversely of the frame I9, 2|, 22, the bracket having an upturned end portion seated on and welded to the horizontal flange of the angle iron I9, and a bearing plate |85 at the other end, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. A horizontal brace |61 is welded at one end to the bearing plate |65 and at the other end to the angle iron I9, as shown in Fig. 2. It should be noted that the unitary frame structure formed by the members |9, 2|, 22, bracket |64 and brace |61 partly underlies the body of the tractor, and that the bracket |64 and brace |61 constitute an Outrigger portion of said unitary frame structure which extends laterally from the tractor body in front of the rear wheel of the tractor. A truss rod hanger |69 (Fig. 4') is fastened at one end to the bearing plate |65 andV is suspended at the other end on a. bracket bolted to the side channel 5 of the tractor. The bracket |10 has a slotted opening |1| for ready engagement with the truss rod |69, and

nuts |13 on the truss rod hold the truss rod in place on the bracket |10. A quadrant |15 is secured to the vertical flange of angle iron I9 by means of bolts |11 rearwardly of the lift shaft |63, the quadrant having a brace |19. Fulcrumed on the brace |19 at |8| is a bell crank lever having a rearwardly extending arm |33 and an upwardly extending arm |85, the arms being braced by a. strap'l81. The arm |83 extends rearwardly under and beyond the rear axle housing of the tractor, and the rear end of the arm |83 has a socket |89 for the reception of -a foot pedal |9I, the foot pedal being adjustably retained in the socket by means of a set screw |93. The arm |85 has a handle |95 at its upper end and a latch |91 adapted to cooperate with a notch in the quadrant |15 is pivoted on a lower portion of the arm |85. A tension spring |99 hooked on the brace |81 lurges the latch into engagement with the quadrant |15 and a latch handle 20| under the handle |95 is operatively connected with the latch |91 by pull rods 203 and 295 con-'- nected with a plate 201 pivoted on the arm |35,

the latch handle being operable to release the latch after engagement thereof with the notch in the quadrant I 15. The lift shaft |33 has an arm 209 which is operatively connected with the arm |35 by a curved link 2|| to transmit rocking movement of the arms |33 and |35 tothe lift shaft |63. The link 2|I is curved to clear a belt pulley (not shown) on the tractor, the belt pulley being optional equipment and if installed may stay on the tractor without interference with the mowing attachment. 2|3 indicates a balancing spring which is anchored at one end on the angle iron 9 by means o! an adjustable eye bolt 2|I, the eye bolt extending through an anchor plate 2|1 welded to the angle iron I9. The other end of the balancing spring 2|3 is connected with an arm 2|9 on the lift shaft |63 by means of a shackle 22| adapted to extend over the lift shaft |83. It will be seen that the foot pedal |9| is within foot reach of an operator on seat |3 and that the handle of arm |35 is within hand reach of such operator. In order to lift the cutter bar assembly the operator steps on the pedal and if necessary also pulls with one hand on the handle |95 until the latch |91 locks in the notch of quadrant |15. 'I'he cutter bar assembly will then stay in an elevated position at a substantial distance from the ground. l For transport purposes the cutter bar may be swung about the axis of pins 93 and 39 into a vertical position and held in such position by suitable connections with the tractor, such connections having -not been shown in order to simplify the drawings. If the operator wishes to lowervthe cutter bar assembly, he steps on the foot pedal |9| in order to relieve the latch |91 from the load thereon and then releases the latch by manipulation of the latch handle 20| whereupon the cutter bar assembly will gravitate to the ground. When raising the cutter bar assembly the operator has both hands, or' at least one hand, free to steer the tractor, and when lowering the cutter bar assembly he may retain hold of the steering wheel i5 of the tractor with his left hand.

The knife bar y|2| of the cutting mechanism has a ball and socket connection, as stated, with one end of a pitman |21. Referring to Figs. l, 6 and 9, a portion of the pitman adjacent to the end thereof which is connected with the knife bar |2| is housed within the yoke 5|, the latter extending transversely over the pitman and downwardly at the forward side thereof. The other end of the ptman |21 is drivingly connected with a rotary shaft 223 (Fig. 5) which is mounted in the left bearing portion 41" of bearing housing 41 by means of a roller bearing 225 and a ball bearing 221 (Fig. 5). Mounted on the forward end of shaft 223, in front of bearing housing 41, is a flywheel 229 which carries a crank pin 23|, and a sleeve 233 is joumaled on the crank pin and retained thereon against axial displacement by a washer and nut 235. The sleeve 233 has diametrically opposed trunnions 231 which are so arranged with respect to the crank pin 23| that the common axis of the trunnions and the axis of the crank pin are coplanar, the axis of the trunnions extending at right angles to -the axis of the' crank pin. The trunnions have pivotal connection with a pair of straps 239 secured to the upper and lower sides of the pitman.

Power for driving the shaft 223 is derived from the tractor by means of a power take-oil' mechanism at the under side of the tractor, shown in Fig. 12. Referring -to Figs. 2, 3 and 12, mounted on the body of the tractor and forming a rearward casing portion thereof isa gear housing 24| which is bolted to the under side ofthe transmission housing of the tractor, part of such transmission housing being shown in Fig. 12 in light full lines and indicated by 243. Journaled in the gear housing 24| on roller bearings 245 is a power take-oil shaft 241 which projects forwardly from the gear housing through a stuillng box 245. A spur gear 25| is keyed on the shaft 241 for axial sliding movement thereon, and a shifting fork 253 cooperating with a collar on gear 25| is .rockably mounted in the housing. A throw-out lever 255 outside of the housing 24| is operatively connected with the shifting fork 253. Formed integrally with the housing 24| and projecting upwardly into the transmission housing 243 are bearing lugs 251 carrying a pin 255 on which an idler gear 25| is rotatably mounted in axially xed position. The gear 25| is in constant mesh with a continuously rotating gear 253 of the tractor transmission. and in the position of gear 25| shown in Fig. 12-rotation of the gear 253 is transmitted to the power take-oil shaftr241 through the idler gear 25| and gear 25|. Movement of the throw-out lever 255 from its on position shown in full lines in Fig. l2 into its "o position shown in dash-dotted lines will cause disengagement of the gear .25| from the idler 25|, and transmission of power to the power take-off shaft will be interrupted. Similarly, movement of the throw-out lever 255 from its oiT' into its on position will establish transmission of power tothe power take-ofi' shaft.

The axis ofv power take-oil' shaft 241 extends on a higher level than the axis of flywheel shaft 223, and rotary movement of the shaft 241 is transmitted to the flywheel shaft 223 by a telescopic driving connection including a slip clutch, as shown in Fig. 5. Mounted on the forwardly projecting end of the power take-off shaft -241 is a forked coupling member 2 55 cooperating with another forked coupling member 251 to form a universal joint, the coupling member 255 being retained on the power take-off shaft by a set screw 255 in the hub of the coupling member 255.v Secured to the coupling member 251 is a square shaftr255 and a sleeve 21| has an internal square portion at one end telescopically engaging the square shaft 255. At the other end the sleeve 21| has a cylindrical bore, and a cylindrical shaft 213 telescopically engages the cylindrical bore pf the sleeve 21|. Mounted on the shaft 213 is a head 215 having tapered jaws cooperating with vtapered jaws 211 at the adjacent end of the sleeve 21|. Secured to the head 215 by bolt 215 are two arms 25|, and mounted on the arms is a yoke 253 having a collar 255 with a cylindrical bore therein, the square shaft 255 extending through and being rotatable in the collar 255. A comprsion spring 231 surrounding the sleeve 21| is seated at one end on the yoke 253 and bears at its other end upon a collar of sleeve 21| to urge the jaws 211 of the sleeve into engagement with the jaws on the head 215. The yoke 253 is adjustable longitudinally of the arms, 25| by means of nuts 255 to adjust the .compression of the coil spring 251. The shaft 213 extends through the head 215, and a coupling member 25| is mounted on the projecting end of the shaft, the coupling member 25| cooperating with a coupling member 253 to form a-universal joint. The coupling member 253 is secured to the shaft 223. In normal operation the jaws 211 of the sleeve 21| are held in engagement with the jaws `on the head 21.5 by the expanding force of the spring 251, and rotation of forceof spring 251, and breakage of the pitman the power take-off` shaft 241 will be transmitted to the Ashaft 223, causing rotation of the flywheel 225 and reciprocating movement of the knife bar |2| through the pitman |21. However should a wire or other solid object become lodged between one of the knife sections |23 and an adjacent finger ||5 of the cutter bar, the jaws 211 of the sleeve 21|, due to their tapered engagement with the' jaws of the head 215, will be forced out of engagement with the head against the expanding or other damage will be avoided. Likewise, breakage of the pitman or other damage will be prevented if power should accidentally be applied to the power take-oil shaft while the cutter bar is in its vertical transport position. If it is desired to disconnect the mowing attachment from the tractor, the coupling member 255 may be withdrawn from the power take-oil shaft 241 prior to the detachment of the frame i5, 2|, 22'from the tractor.. the telescopic engagement of the square shaft 255 with the sleeve 21| permitting sumcient forward movement of the assembled coupling members 255 and 251 to withdraw the coupling member 255 from the power take-ofi' shaft after 'loosening of the set screw 255 in the hub of the coupling member 255. When mounting the attachment on the tractor, the frame I5, 2|, 22 may ilrst be secured in place on the tractor, and thereafter the coupling member 255 may be secured to the power take-ot! shaft, the telescopic connection between the shaft 255 and sleeve 21| permitting the necessary elongation.

It will be noted that the mower structure mounted on the tractor comprises a unitary frame |5, 2|, 22 which is detachably carried by the tractor body and has a portion, namely, the cross member 22, underlying the body between the front and rear wheels, and that the cutting mechanism which includes the cutter bar ||1 is pivotally connected to the drag arm 45 and is carried by the frame independently of the body. The lift mechanism for the cutting mechanism is carried on the frame member I5 which extends rearwardly from the underlying frame portion 22 in proximity to the operators station i5, and it includes a control member, namely, the lever |53, |55, in the vicinity of the operator's station. The drive for the cutting mechanism includes a drive shaft, namely, the flywheel shaft 223, which is carried on the tractor substantially coaxially with the' mower support axis, that is, with the axis of the bearing portion 41', and the drive shaft has a crank element 23| operatively connected with the cutting mechanism. The intermediate shaft 255 and the sleeve-21| of the telescopic driving connection between the power take-oil shaft 241 and the drive shaft 223 constitute a longitudinally extending rotary drive member which is carried,I at its rear end on the tractor body andvat its front end on the mowe'rl structure'.

y The working position of the cutter bar is shown in Fig. 1. Although the driver has a good view of the cutter bar from his seat i5, it may hapllien that the cutter bar strikes an obstruction hidden in the grass, such as a tree stump or a large stone, and in that event the cutter bar will break back into a non-working position by horizontal swinging movement about the axis of the pivot lug 1l ment of the cutter bar into the position shown in Fig. 9, which is the position referred to as a non-working position. The expanding force of the coil spring |91 is so adjusted as to prevent rearward swinging of the cutter bar under normal working conditions, but under excessive rearward strain on the cutter bar, as stated, the V-shaped projections il on the head of bolt |0| will be forced out of engagement with the V-shaped notch I I3 at the underside of strap 9 i, and thereafter the strap will meet only a slight resistance against sliding movement under the pull of the shoe 15. The rearward swinging movement of the 'cutter bar may continue until' the end of the slot 99 in the strap 9| engages the bolt iti as shown in Fig. 9, and further rearward movement of the cutter bar is stopped before the cutter bar can strike the rear wheel Ii of the tractor. When returning the cutter bar from its non-working position shown in Fig. 9 into its working position shown in Fig. 1, which may be done by hand, the strap 9| slides back on the yoke 5|, and when the notch H3 on the strap registerswith the projections H5 of the bolt lili the bolt snaps back into locking engagement with the strap and the cutter bar is thereby retained in its working position. The strap 9i has very little vertical play on the yoke due to the large contact area of its upper and lower surfaces with the yoke, and in the position of the parts shown in Fig. 8, the strap is not only releasably locked against sliding movement but it also stabilizes the shoe 'i5 against up and down movement at its forward end relative to the yoke. Upward tilting forces acting upon the shoe at its forward end are transmitted to the yoke through the strap 9i, and the rearward pivotal connection between the shoe and the yoke is thereby relieved from twisting strains which -would result if upward tilting forces were not taken up at a forward portion of the shoe, as by the strap 9i. The strap Si continues to stabilize the shoe H relative to the yoke 5i throughout the pivotal movement of the shoe about the pivot lug 1| when the cutter bar moves from its working position into its non-working position, and vice versa, and it will be noted that long upper and lower surface portions of the strap are fully engaged by upper and lower guide surfaces on the yoke after the cutter bar has moved into its nonworking position as shown in Fig. 9. As mentioned hereinbefore, the forward extension of the web 58 is laterally inclined towards the cutter bar side of the yoke, and the strap 9| is slidably fitted between the lower surface of said extension and the upper surface of the vbottom wall 62 which underlies said extension and is laterally inclined parallel therewith. In other words, the line of sliding movement of the strap 9i on the yoke 5i extends in a generally horizontal direction but is somewhat inclined relative to a plane at right angles to the axis of the pivot lug 1|, as shown in Figs, 7 and 8, and the forward end of the shoe will therefore be guided on a spiral downward path during backward movement of the cutter bar, the rear hanger 1li being fitted upon ,the pivot lug 1| with suillcient play to avoid binding due to the downward displacement at the forward end of the shoe.

As will be seen from Fig. 9, the pitman |21 remains engaged with the knife bar |2i throughout the backward swinging movement of the cutter bar, and it is necessary to 'interrupt the transmission of power to the pitman |21 very shortly after the cutter bar has started its backbar i 2| on the cutter bar ||1 rapidly increases Bs its line of movement is thrown out of alinement with the pitman, and at a certain angular displacement of the cutter bar the pitman 'could no longer reciprocate the knife bar at all. The necessary interruption of the driving power is accomplished by automatically moving the throwout lever 255 of the power take-off mechanism from its o into its off position very shortly after the cutter bar has started to move from its working into its non-working-position. Referring to Figs. 2 and 10, a strap iron 295 bent into V- shape extends horizontally below the tractor in,

the vicinity of the power take-off housing 24|, the strap iron being secured at its ends to the frame angle iron 2 i. preferably by welding. A bell crank lever having a long arm 291 and a short arm 299 is pivotally mounted on a. bolt 30| extending through the strap iron 295. Pivotally connected with the short arm 299 of the bell crank lever at 303 is a clevis 392i, and an eye bolt 391 is threaded into the clevis for longitudinal adjustment thereon, the eye bolt being pivotally connected with the throw-out lever 255 at 399. A vertically movable rod Sii extends through a plate 3|3 mounted on the tractor and is pivotally connected at its lower end with the long arm 291 of the bell crank lever. The rod 3| i has a handle portion at its upper end within reach of the drivers seat i8 and it will be seen that by pulling the rod up the throwout lever may be moved by hand from its"oil' position into its on position, and by pushing the rod 3H down the throw-out lever may be moved from its on" position into its off position. In Fig. l0 the throw-out lever 255 is shown in its off",position, and its on position is indicated by a dash-dotted line. Also pivotally mounted on the bolt 39| and swingable inde-A pendently of the bell crank lever 291, 299 is an actuating lever or arm 3|5 which has a laterally projecting stud 33| secured thereto at its upper end, and the lower en`d of which is provided with a recess extending towards the bolt 39| and forming an open slot. A tension spring 3i1 is anchored at one end on the portion of the arm IIS which extends downwardly from the bolt 39|', and the other end of the spring 3|1 is anchored on a bracket Sig by means of an adjustable bolt 32|, the bracket @i9 being secured in fixed position on the strap iron 295. A support 323 for a bell crank lever 325 is secured to the strap iron 295 rearwardly oi' the bolt 39|, the bell crank lever 325 being pivoted on the support 323 at 321 and having a stud 329 on its forwardly extending arm adapted to enter the open slot at the lower end of the arm 3|5.

The position in which the arm 315 is shown in Fig. 10 may be termed a rst position'of said arm, and in the position of the parts shown in Fig. 10, swinging movement of the arm 3|5 from said rst position about the bolt 30| is prevented by engagement of the stud 329 with the slot at the l lower end of the arm, and the spring 3|1 exerts ward movement, because the friction of the knife substantial pull on the arm 3|5. Assuming now that the rod 3H is pulled upwardlyto move the throw-out lever 255 from its ofF into its "on position, it will be seen that the short arm 293 is moved towards the upper end of the arm SI5 and the length of the connection between arm 299 and lever 255 is so adjusted that the lever 255 arrives in its on" position shortly before the arm 299 engages the laterally projecting studl 33| on the upper end of lever 3 5. Automatic movement of the throw-out lever 255 from its on into its off position may then be effected by swinging the bell crank lever 325 in clockwise direction with reference to Fig. 10, causing vthe stud 329 to move out of the slot vat the lower end of arm 3I5. As soon er the stud 323 releases the arm 3|5 the arm 315 swings about the bolt 33| under the tension out movement under the action of spring 3|1 is position which the arm 3|5 occupies at the' end of the throw-out movement, that is, when the arm 291 bears upon the stud 333 and the stud 33| bears upon the arm 299, may be termed a second position" of the arm 3I5. In order to reset the arm 3| 5 from said second position into its first position in which it is shown in Fig. 10, the long arm 291 may be pushed up by hand so vas to move the arm 3|5 into its first position and permit reengagement of the stud 329 with the slot at the lower end of arm 3I5.

' 'I'he bolt 30| and stud 33| afford a lost motion connection between the arms 299 and 3I5. which permits movement of the throw-out lever 255 from its on into its off" position, and vice versa, while the arm 3|5 remains in its first position in which it is shown in Fig. 10. The lost motion connection enables the operator to restore the arm 3|5 from its second to its. rst position and the throw-out leverv 255 from its o "toits on" position in one operation, and if after s ch restoration the operator desires to move th throwout lever from its on into its "oiT position without disturbing the setting of the arm 3I5. he may accomplish this by pushing the rod 3| I down.

'I'he bell crank lever 325 is connected by suitable linkage with the rear hanger 13 of the cutter bar shoe 15 so as to cause release of thearm 3|5 shortly after the cutter bar has started to move from its working into its non-working position. Pivoted on the upper arm of bell crank lever 325 is a clip 335 (Fig. 2) on which an eye bolt 331 is adiustably mounted by means of a nut 339. A bent link 34| is hooked at one end into the eye bolt 331 and at the other end into an arm 343 pivoted on a bracket 345 which is bolted to the' vertical flange of the frame angle ironv2I. The .rear hanger 13 has an arm 341 as shown in Figs. 9 and 11, and a link 349 is hooked at one end into the arm 343 and at the other end into the arm 341 of the rear hanger 13. When the cutter bar moves froml its working into its non-working position, the rear hanger 13 turns on the pivot llug 1|, and such 'turning movement of the rear hanger will be transmitted through the link 349 to the arm 343, and from the arm 343 through the link 34|, eye bolt 331, nut 339 and clip 335 to the bell crank lever 325, causing the bell crank lever to move in clockwise direction with reference to Fig.f10. and to trip the arm 3I5. It will be seen that slack in the entire linkage may. be taken up by turning the nut 339, and the-arm 3|5 may therefore be tripped very shortly after the cutter bar has started to move from its working into its non-working position. As a result, the power take-off shaft 241 will be disconnected from the permanently rotating idler gear long before the angular displacement of the knife bar |2| relative to the pitman |21 has reached the danger point where the pitman could' no longer reciprocate the knife bar. v

It is desirable that in the working position of the cutter bar the pitman extends accurately at right angles to the axis of the flywheel shaft 223. and in actual operation, that is, when the machine advances and grass is being cut, the

knife bar should reciprocate as nearly as possible in line with the pitman. The normal resistance encountered by the cutter bar when grass is being cut tends to bend the cutter bar back,.and the cutter and knife bars .will be elastically deformed more or less', depending on the rigidity and length of the cutter bar. of cutter bar, for instance, having a length of seven feet, the elastic horizontal deformation amounts to about W4 inches at the outer end of the cutter bar. In order to compensa-te' this elastic deformation and insure alinement of the deformed knife bar with the pitman, the cutter bar is given .a certain lead, that is, when the mower is at rest the cutter bar extends at a slight angle forwardly-relative to a verticalplane through the center line of the pitman. The reslstance` encountered by the cutter bar during actual cutting'will then bend the cutter -and knife bars back into allnementwith the pitman.

Adjustment of the yoke 5| so as to position the pitman accurately at right angles to the axis of the flywheel shaft 223 may be made by means i of the nuts 51 and 59 on the brace rod 53, and

the lead of the cutter bar may be adjusted by means of the bolt 93 and serrated washers 91 on the front hanger 81 (Fig. 8). If it is desired to increase the lead of the cutter bar the bolt 93 is moved into a position closer to the pin 89 and similarly, if it is desired to decrease the lead of the cutter bar the bolt: 93 is moved into a posi'- tionvfar-ther away from the pin-89. As the pivotal connections between the shoe 15 and the yoke 5I become worn the lead of the cutter bar decreases, but. such loss of lead may easily be corrected by adjustment of the bolt 93.

From the foregoing description of the cutter bar assembly and its connection with the tractor it will be seen that the cutter bar I|1 and knife bar |2| constitute a mowing arm and that the support for 'this mowing arm includes a housing, it having been pointed out hereinbefore that a portion of the pitman |21 is housed within the cutter bar yoke 5I. The mowing arm has a shoe. namely, the shoe 15, which has a universal Joint connection with the housing, that is, with the yoke 5|, by means of the rear hanger 13. An elongated member, namely, the strap 9|, is pivotally connected to the shoe by the front hanger 51 in spaced relation to the universal joint, whereby 'the mowing arm II1, |2| and shoe 15 as a unit may swing vertically about the universal joint and pivotal connection. The elongated member or strap 9| is slldable longitudinally relative to the housing, that is, relative to the yoke I 5|, so that the strap 9|, front hanger 81, shoe 15 and mowing arm as a unit may swing horizon- In a standard type namely, the strap 9|. slidably engages the housing or yoke In connection with the description of the frame |9, 2|, 22 it has been stated hereinbefore that in order to detach lthe frame from the tractor the nuts on the bolts 29, 31 and 45 are loosened and the frame is pulled forwardly so that the hangers 33 and 39 will first drop from the tractor and by continued pull the rear end of frame angle |9 will be dropped from the bracket 21. Before the frame can be disconnected from the tractor in the mentioned manner the truss rod hanger |69 will have to be disconnected from the bracket by loosening the nuts |13 and swinging the rod |69 forwardly out of engagement with the slotted opening Moreover, the coupling member 265 on the power take-off shaft 241 will have to be disconnected from the power take-off shaft as described hereinbefore, and the rod 3|| (Fig. 10) will have to be unhooked from the arm 291, andthe eye bolt 301 detached from the throw-out lever 255, before the frame can be dropped from the tractor. The various mechanisms mounted on the frame, such as the pitman drive mechanism, the cutter bar support,

the entire lift mechanism and the automatic throw-out mechanism may stay on the frame when the frame is dropped from the tractor. After the mentioned disconnections have been made and the frame has been dropped, the entire attachment rests on the ground with the frame underlying the body of the tractor. The tractor is then free to be driven away from the attachment by making a rearward left hand tinn as indicated in dash-dotted lines in Fig. 1. The operator will turn the front wheels I3, I5 of the tractor to the right as far as they will go, throw the transmission in reverse, and make a sharp rearward turn to the left. thefront wheels will travel on a arcuate path indicated by the dash-dotted circle I4 in Fig'. 1 without interference with the frame, the frame being suitably tapered forwardly at the left, as shown,to afford clearance for the front wheels during their rearward travel on circle I4. As also shown ln Fig. 1, the rear wheel of thel tractor will travel during the mentioned rearward turn on an arcuate path indicated by the circle I2, without interference with the frame angle I9 or the arm |93 and foot pedal |9l.

The rearward turn of the tractor may be continued until the tractor arrives in the position shown at the bottom of Fig'. 1, where the operator may then shift into a forward gear and drive away, leaving the mowing attachment where it has been dropped, In connecting the tractor with the attachment. the described procedure will be followed in reverse order. That is, the tractor will be driven behind the attachment into a position substantially parallel with the cutter bar ||1, as shown indash-dotted lines at the bottom of Fig. 1, and from this dash-dotted position it will be driven into the full line position in which its body overlles the attachment frame, by making a turn to the right. After the tractor has arrived in the full line position, the rear end of the frame angle i9 is lifted upon the bracket 21, preferably by lifting up on the foot pedal |9|, and thereafter the front end of the frame is lifted and the frame pushed back in order to secure the hangers 33 and 39 to the .During such turn tractor as described hereinbefore. The truss rod |99 may then be secured to the bracket |19, the coupling member 265 connected with the power take-off shaft 241, and the throw-out lever 255 connected with the eye bolt 391. The rod III and plate 3|3 which may have beenl removed from the tractor are installed and the rod 3|| is hooked up with the arm 291, whereupon the tractor and attachment are ready for mowing. In manipulating the tractor away from the attachment, or over the attachment, braking of the wheel or possibly locking of this wheel may become desirable. Individual brakes for the rear wheels are standard equipment on farm tractors and if necessary, the operator may use the brake for the wheel conveniently to manipulate the tractor from or over the attachment frame.

It should be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to the exact'details of construction herein shown and described, for various modifications may be made without departing irom the scope of the appended claims.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In combination, a tractor having a wheeled front support, `a rear axle structure and rear wheels mounted thereon, an attachment frame having a forward portion behind said front support and a rearward portion underlying said rear axle structure, and detachable connecting means between said frame and tractor, said forward portion of said frame being tapered transversely of said tractor to permit unobstructed arcuate travel of said front support while the tractor is being driven out of and into an attaching position over said frame.

2. In combination, a tractor having a wheeled -front support, a rear axle structure and a pair of rear wheels mounted thereon, an attachment frame having a forward portion behind said iront support at one side of .a vertical plane extending longitudinally of the tractor centrally through said front support. and a rearward portion underlying said rear axle structure adjacent to one of said rear wheelsat the other side of said plane, and detachable connecting means between said frame and tractor, said forward portion of said frame being tapered forwardly transversely -of said plane to permit unobstructed arcuate travel of said front support while the tractor i s being driven out of and into an attaching position over said frame.

3. In combination, a tractor having a wheeled front support, a rear axle structure and .a pair of rear wheels mounted'thereon, an attachment frame having a rearward portion underlying said rear axle structure and a forward portion behind said front support at one side of a vertical plane extending longitudinally of the tractor centrally through said front support, implement sup- -porting means at the other side of said plane,

connected with said frame and extending laterally therefrom in advance of and beyond one of said rear wheels, and detachable connecting means between said frame and tractor, said for- 2,320,057 said rear axle structure and a forward portion advance of one of said rear wheels, said forward.

portion of said frame being vtapered 'forwardly transversely of said plane to permit unobstructed arcuate travel of said front support vwhile the' tractor is being driven out of and into an attaching position over said frame` 5. In combination, a tractor having a wheeled front support, a rear axle structure and a pair of rear wheels mounted thereon, an attachment frame having a rearward portion underlying said rear axle structure and a forward portion behind said front support at one side of a vertical plane extending longitudinally of the tractor centrally through said front support, detachable connect-l ing means between said frame and tractor, and mowing mechanism on said frame, including an arm at the other side of said plane, and a cutter bar yoke mounted on said arm in advance of one of said rear wheels, said forward portion of said frame being tapered forwardly transversely of said plane and having a bracing connection with said cutter bar yoke. 1

6. In combination, a tractor having a body, a pair of rear wheels and a wheeled front support A for said body, an attachment frame having a vrear portion secured to a lower portion of said body between said rear wheels, said attachment frame also having a forward portion below said body in advance of said rear wheels and an outrigger portion intermediate said rearand forward portons, extending in front of one of said rear wheels, mowing mechanism mounted on said frame including a cutter bar yoke in advance of said rear wheel, a supporting arm for said yoke connected with said forward portion of said frame for swinging movement in a vertical plane, and lifting mechanism for said arm mounted on said Outrigger portion of said frame.

7. In combination with a tractor having Ifront and rear wheels, a frame extending longitudi nally below said tractor and detachably secured thereto, mowing mechanism mounted on said` frame including a vertically movable cutter bar extending transversely of said tractor in advance of the rear wheels thereof, and raising and lower.- ing means for said cutter bar comprising a lift shaft rotatably mounted on said frame and ex- S tending transversely of said tractor forwardly oi one of said rear wheels, a lifting lever mounted on said frame for pivotal movement about an axis radially spaced from the axis of said lift shaft, and a pair of transversely spaced arms on said lift shaft operatively connected, respectively, with said cutter bar and with said liftinglever.

8. In a mower,l a cutter bar yoke, a cutter bar connected with said yoke for movement from a horizontal working position transversely of said yoke into a horizontal rearwardly inclined non-b working position, a stabilizing connection between said cutter bar and yoke including a strap element slidably mounted on said yoke, a stop on said yoke engageable by said strap element to 9. In a mower, a cutter bar yoke, a cutter bar ,connected with said yoke for .movement from a horizontal working position transversely of said yoke into a horizontal rearwardly inclined nonworking position, a stabilizing connection between said cutterbar and yoke including al slotted strap element slidably mounted on said yoke, a pin elementen saidl yoke extending through said slotted strap element and having a lateral projection adapted 4to enter a notch in said strapelement, and spring means acting longitudinally' of said pin element to urge vsaid lateral projection thereof into engagement with said notch.

10. In a mower, a cutter bar having a shoe at one end, a support, a connecting element secured to said support for pivotal movement relative thereto about a vertical axis and having pivotal f connection with said shoe about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of said shoe, a secondv'connecting element mounted on a portion of said shoe-remote from said vertical axis for pivotal movement about said-horizontal axis, a strap element guided on a portion of said support remote from said vertical axis for sliding movement relative to said support in a generally'horizontal direction, a vertical pivot connection between said strap element and said second connecting element adjustable .transversely of said shoe, and spring pressed locking means cooperating with said support and said strap element for releasably locking said strap element against said sliding movement thereof relative to said support.

y 11. `In a mower, a cutter bar having a shoe at onewend, a support, a connecting element secured to said support for pivotal movement relative thereto about a vertical axis and having pivotal connection with said shoe about a horizontal axis extendingI longitudinally of said shoe,- ,a second connecting element mounted on a portion of said shoe remote from said vertical axis for'pivotal movement about said horizontal axis, a strap element guided on a portion of\said support remote from said vertical axis for sliding movel ment relative to said support in a generally horizontal direction and connected with said second connecting element for pivotal movement relative thereto about a vertical axis, and spring pressed locking means cooperating with said support and said strap element for releasably locking said strap element against said sliding movement thereof relative to said support.

12. In combination, a tractor having a body, a

pair of rear wheels and a wheeled front support for said body, a unitary attachment frame having a portion underlying said tractor body and an Outrigger portion rigidly connected with saidV lfixed position relative to said tractor, mowing prevent said cutter bar from moving beyond said v non-working position, and lockinglmeans cooperating with said strap element to releasably retain said cutter bar in said working position thereof.

mechanism mounted on said frame including a cutter bar yoke in advance of said rear wheel, a supporting arm for said yoke pivoted on said underlying frame portion for vertical swinging movement in advance of said Outrigger portion, a transverse lift shaft rockably mounted on said outrigger portion and having an arm at its outer end swingable in a vertical plane adjacentjo said yoke` and operatively connected therewith, and

means operatively connected with said lift shaft for rocking the same and locking it against rotation.

13. In combination, a'tractor having a body, a

' with said forward portion or said frame for swinging movement in a vertical plane, a trans-v verse lift shaft rockably mounted on said 'outrlgger portion and operatively connected with said cutter bar yoke for raising and lowering the latter, and means on said frame for rocking Said lift shaft and locking it against rotation to hold said yoke in raised position.

14. In combination, a tractor having a wheeled front support, a rear axle structure and a pair I of rear wheels mounted thereon, a. unitary attachment frame having a rearward portion underlying said rear axle structure and a forward portion underlying a forward portionV of said tractor rearwardly of said front support, detach-- able connecting means between said frame and tractor, drag means connected with said frame at longitudinally spaced points thereof and extending laterally therefrom, cutting mechanism secured to the outer end of said drag means and retained by the latter in a predetermined position transversely of said frame, and driving means for saidcutting mechanism including a shaft mounted on said frame for rotation about an axis extending longitudinally of said tractor, said frame, drag means and driving means being arranged in such relation to veach other as 'to form an assembled unit aiording unobstructed arcuate travel of said front support along the side of said unit remote from said cutting mechanism while said tractor is being driven out of and into an attaching position over said frame.

15. In a mower, a frame, a cutter bar mounted on said lframe for movement relative thereto from a working into a non-working position, Aa knife bar reciprocably mounted on said cutter bar, drive mechanism for said knife bar including re1- atively engageable and disengageable power i transmitting elements, a member movably mounted on said frame, means connected with one oi' said power transmitting elements and for moving one ol' said power transmitting elements into and out oi engagement with the other ci. said movable member from its first into its sec- 4 ond position, spring means connected' with said movable member and acting to urge said movable'member from its first into its second position, a stop element movable into the path of said movable member to hold said movable member in its nrstposition againstthe action of said spring means, and means operatively connecting said stop element withl said cutter. bar to withdraw said stop element from the path of said movable member by movement of said cutter bar adapted to cooperate with said movable member for disengaging said power transmitting elements from each other by movement of said movable member from a ilrst into a second position, spring means connected with said movable member and acting to urge said movable member from its rst into its second position, a stop element movable into the path of said movable member to hold said movable member in said iirst position against the action of said spring means. and means operatively connecting said stop element with said cutter bar to withdraw y said stop element from the path oi' said movable member by movement of said cutter bar from lts working towards its non-working position.

v16. In a mower, a frame. a cutter bar mounted on said frame for movement relative thereto from a working into a non-working position, aknife bar reciprocably mounted on said cutter bar,-

from its working towards its non-working position. v

17. vIn a mower, a frame, a cutter bar mounted on said frame for pivotal movement about a substantially vertical axis, locking means releasably securing said cutter bar to said frame in normal position transversely of the direction of propulsion of the mower and acting to release said cutter bar to permit rearward movement thereof when subjected to excessive pressure due to the cutter bar encountering an obstruction, a knife bar reclprocably mounted on said cutter bar,v

drive mechanism for said knife bar including relatively engageable and disengageable power transmitting elements, a member movably mounted on said frame. means connected with one of said power transmitting elements and adapted to cooperate with said movable member for disengaging said power transmitting elements from each other by movement of said movable member from a first into a second position, spring means connected with said movable member and acting to urge said movable member from itsV rst into its second position, a stop element movable'into the path of said movable member'to hold said movable member in Asaid first position against the action of said spring means, and means operatively connecting said stop element with said cutter bar to withdraw said stop element from the path of said movable member by said rearward movement of said cutter bar upon release of said locking means.

18. Iny combination with a tractor having a power take-olf shaft and a lever movable on the tractorbetween fon and on positions to connect and vdisconnect said power take-oiI shaft with av driving elementen the tractor; a mowing cured to said tractor, a cutter bar mounted on said frame for movement relative thereto from drive mechanism for said knife bar including relatively engageable and disengageable power transmitting elements, manually operable means fa working into a non-working position, a knife bar reciprocably'mounted on said cutter bar and drivingly connected with said power take-oi! shaft, an arm pivotedon said frame, means connected with said lever and adapted to cooperate with said armvto move said lever from its on into its oiT position by pivotal movement oi' u v 2,320,057 said arm from a first into a second position, 'spring path of said arm by movement of said cutter bar from its working towards its non-working position.

19. In vcombination with a tractor having a power take-off shaft and a lever movable on the tractor between on and "off positions to conj..nec t and disconnect said power take-off shaft with a driving element on the tractor; a mowing attachment comprising a frame detachably secured to said tractor, a cutter bar mounted on said frame for movement relative'thereto from a working into a non-working position, a knife bar reciprocably mounted on said cutter bar and drivingly connected with said power take-off shaft, an arm and a lever pivoted on said frame for movement independently of each other and having relatively'engageable portions for transmitting movement of said arm in one direction tosaid lever on said frame, spring means reacting between said arm and frame to yieldingly resist movement of said arm in said direction, a I

stop element on said frame movable into the path of said arm to hold said arm, after movement thereof againstthe action of said spring means.v

in a predetermined position, a link connecting said lever on said tractor with said lever on said i` frame, whereby said relatively engageable portions of said arm and lever on said frame may be moved into proximity of each other by movemento! said lever on said tractor from its off" into its on" position while said arm is being held in said predetermined position, and means connected with said stop element and said cutter bar for moving said locking element out of the path of said arm by movement of said cutter bar from its working Atowards its non-working position. y

20. In a mower, a cutter bar having a shoe at one end, a support, a universal connection between said support and one end of said shoe, aiording vertical and horizontal swinging movement of said shoe relative to said support, a

connecting element mounted on said shoe near the other end thereof for pivotal movement relative thereto about an axis extending longitudinally of said shoe and in such relation to said universal connection as to accommodate said vertical swinging movement of said shoe, a strap bar yoke mounted on the outer end of said drag arm, a cutter bar having a shoe universally connected at one end thereof with said yoke for direction of propulsion of the mower, a cutter y vertical and horizontal swinging movement of said shoe relative to said cutter bar yoke. a coupling element mounted on said shoe near the other end thereof for pivotal movement relative to said shoe about an axis extending longitudinally of said shoe and in such relation to said universal connection' as to accommodate said vertical swinging movement of said shoe, releasable locking means cooperating with said coupling element and with a portion oi said yoke remote from said universal connection to releasably secure said cutter bar to said yoke in a normal position transversely to the direction of propulsion of the mower, an arm on said shoe, a lever pivotally mounted on said yoke, and a flexible connection between said arm and lever, whereby said cutter bar, in. said normal position thereof may be swung about said horizontal axis by operation ofsaid lever, and whereby said cutter bar upon -release of said locking means may swing horizontally about said universal connection independently of operation of said lever.

22. In a mower, a wheel supported frame, a

drag arm pivoted on said frame for swinging,

movement in a vertical plane transversely to the direction of propulsion of the mower, a cutter bar yoke mounted on said drag arm for pivotal movement relative thereto about an axis extending longitudinally of said plane, adjusting means connected with said arm and yoke for securing said yoke in a plurality of pivotally adjusted positions on said arm, a cutter bar having a shoe universally connected at one end thereof with said yoke for vertical and horizontal swinging movement of said shoe relative to said yoke, a coupling element mounted on said shoe near the other end thereof for pivotal movement relative to said shoe about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of said slr '.e and in such relation to said universal connection as to accommodate said vertical swinging movement of said shoe, releasable locking means cooperating with said coupling element and with a portion of said yoke remote from said universal connection to releasably secure said cutter bar to said yoke in a normal position transversely of the direction of propulsion of the mower, an arm on said shoe, a lever pivotally mounted on said yoke, and a ilexible` connection between said arm and lever, whereby said cutter bar, in said normal position thereof and in any position of pivotal adjustment of said yoke, may be swung about said horizontal axis by operation of said lever, and whereby said cutter bar, in any position of pivotal adjustment of said yoke, may swing upon release of said locking means in a generally horizontal direction about said universal connection independently of operation of said lever.

23. In a mowing machine, a mowing arm having a shoe, a support for the arm including a housing, a universal joint connecting the shoe to the housing, an elongated member carried by the housing and pivotally connected to the shoe in spaced relation to the universal joint whereby the arm. and shoe as a unit may swing vertically about the universal joint and pivotalv connection, the elongated member being slidable longitudinally relative to the housing so that the elongated member, pivotal' connection, shoe and arm as a unit may swing horizontally about the universal joint, means carried by the housing and engageable with the elongated member to hold the elongated member, pivotal connection, shoe and arm from horizontal movement but yieldable connection cooperating with the universal joint l to permit the arm .to swing vertically relative to said housing and member. the sliding connection permitting limited horizontal movement of the member, pivotal connection and arm as a unit about the universal joint.

25. In amower, a shoe support, a shoe, and laterally spaced pivotal connections between said shoe and support permitting. vertical movement of the shoe relative to the support, one of said pivotal connections and shoe being slidably connected to the support so that the one pivotal connection mentioned and the shoe as a unit may move in a substantially horizontal direction relative to the other pivotal connection.

26. In a mowing machine, a tractor, a bracket supported from the tractor for vertical swinging movementrelative thereto, a mower shoe beside the bracket, and laterally spacedconnections between the shoe and bracket, -one being a universal connection, and the other being a pivotal connection, the pivotal. connection including a member slidable relative to the bracket in an arc substantially concentric with the universal connection.

27. In avmowing machine, a tractor, a housing supported from said tractor for vertical swinging movementI relative thereto, said housing having laterally spaced portions, -a mower shoe having a universal connection with one of said portions, a connection between the shoe and the other of asados? ried by the frame independently of the body, ana driving means connected with the power takeoil shaft outside of said casing portion and with the cutting mechanism and including a longitudinally extending rotary drive member carried at its rear end on the body and at its front end on the mower structure.

3l. For a tractor having a longitudinal body carried on front and rear wheels and including' an operators station at its rear, a mower structure comprising a unitary frame detachably carried by the body including a portion underlying said body forwardly of the operators station and said portions including two pivotally connected y elements, one of'said elements being adjustably connected tothe shoe, the other of said elements slidably engaging the housing, and means carried by the housing for yieldably retaining the slidable element against sliding movement..

28. In a mowing machinea tractor, a housing adjustably supported from the tractor, a mower v shoe having a universal connectionwith the housing, a mowerbar carried by the shoe, and means controlling movementof the shoe in one direction relative to the housing including two pivotally connected-members, one being -adjust-- ably connected to the shoe, the other slidably engaging the housing, and a yieldable detent carried by the housing and engaging the slidable member.

29. In a mowing machine, a tractor, 'a housing supported from said tractor, and a mower shoe having laterally spaced connections with the housing, one being a universal connection, and the other being a combined pivotal and sliding connection, thepivotal connection including a part adjustable relative to the shoe.

30. For a tractor having a longitudinal body carried by front and rear wheels and having a power take-ofi shaft projecting from a rearward casing portion thereof, a mower structure comprislng aunitary 'frame detachably carried Vby the body and having a portion underlying the body between the front and .rear wheels, an arm pivotally connected to said underlying frame portion for vertical movement relative thereto, cut-` ting mechanism connected with the arm and. cara frame member extending from said underlying frame portion rearwardly in proximity to the operators station, a mower carried by the frame at one side of and. independi dependently of the body and including a control member in the vicinity of the operator's station. 32. For a tractor having a longitudinal body carried by front and rear wheels and havinga power take-off shaft projecting from a rearward casing portion thereof, a mower structure comprising a unitary frame detachably carried by the body and having a portion underlying said body between the front and rear wheels, an arm connected with said underlying frame portion for l vertical movement relative theretoabout a longitudinal axis, cutting mechanism connected with the arm and carried by the frame independently of the body for vertical movement, and driving means connected with the power take-oil shaft outside of said casing portion and with the cutting mechanism including a rotatable drive member carriedv by the frame on an axis substantially coaxial with the aforesaid axis.

33. In a tractor-mounted mower wherein the tractor includes a longitudinal body carried on front and rear wheels and having a power takeoil' shaft projecting from a rearward casing portion thereof, the combination with the body-of a mower structure comprising a unitary frame detachably carried by the body, and having a portion underlying said body between the front and rear wheels, a mower carried by the frame independently of the body for vertical movement with respect to the body from ground position to raised position and vextending laterally at one side of the tractor, said mower comprising anv arm pivotally connected to said underlying frame portion and cutting mechanism pivotally connected to the arm, driving means for the cutting mechanism connected to the power take-off shaft outside of said casing portion and including a longitudinally extending rotary drive member carried at its rear end on the body and at its front end -on the mower structure, and

lifting and lowering means for the mower carried by the frame independently of the body.

34. In a tractor-mounted mower wherein the tractor includes a longitudinal body carried on front and rear wheels and having a power takeoil' shaft projecting from a rearward casing portion thereof, the combination with the body of a mower supported by the body between the front and rear wheels on a longitudinal axis port axis and having a crank element operatively connected with the cutting mechanism, a longitudinally extending rotary drive member drivingly connected at its rear end with the power take-oit shaft outside of said casing portion and at its frontend with said drive shaft, and lifting and lowering means for the mower carried by the tractor body.

35. In a mower, a cutter bar yoke, a cutter bar, pivot means connecting said cutter bar with said yoke, a coupling member guided on a portion o! said yoke remote from said pivot means for movement in a generally horizontal direction, means connecting said coupling member with a portion of said cutter bar remote from said pivot means, spring pressed locking means cooperating with said coupling member and yoke to releasably secure said cutter bar in a normal position on said yoke transversely to the direction of propulsion of the mower, said spring pressed locking means acting, when subjected to excessive pressure due to the cutter bar encountering an obstruction, to release said coupling member and permit rearward movement of said cutter bar about said pivot means, and means for preventing separation of said coupling member from said yoke due to said rearward movement of said cutter bar.

36. In a mower, a cutter bar yoke, a cutter bar, pivot means connecting said cutter bar with said yoke, a coupling member guided on a portion of said yoke remote from said pivot means for movement in a generally horizontal direction, means connecting said coupling member with a portion of said cutter bar remote from said pivot means, spring pressed locking means cooperating with said coupling member and yoke to releasably secure said cutter bar in `a normal position on said yoke transversely to the direction of propulsion of the mower, said spring pressed locking means acting, when subjected to excessive pressure due to the cutter bar encountering an obstruction, to release said coupling member and permit rearward movement of said cutter bar about said spring pressed locking means cooperating with said coupling means and with a portion or said yoke remote from said pivot means to releasably secure said cutter bar on said yoke in a normal position transversely of the direction of propulsion of the mower, said coupling means including acoupling member engageable by said locking means and an adjustable connection between said coupling member and said remote portion of said cutter bar, whereby said cutter bar may be pivotally adjusted relative to said yoke independently of release of said locking means to vary the lead of said cutter bar.

38. In a mower, a cutter bar yoke, a cutter bar, pivot means connecting said cutter bar with said yoke, a coupling member guided on a portion of said yoke remote from said pivot means for movement in a generally horizontal direction, means on a portion of said cutter bar remote from said pivot means, cooperating with said coupling member to secure said coupling member to said cutter bar in different positions of adjustment of said coupling member longitudinally of said cutter bar, spring pressed locking means cooperating with said coupling member and yoke to releasably secure said cutter bar in a normal position on said yoke transversely to the direction of propulsion of the mower, said spring pressed locking means acting, when subjected to excessive pressure due to the cutter bar encountering an obstruction, to release said coupling member and permit rearward movement of said cutter bar about said pvot means, and a stop on said yoke engageable by said coupling member to limit said rearward movement of said cutter bar.

WlLLARD H. TANKE. 

